Time/Duration: Eight, 45-minute lessons (can be broken into 16 classes)
Learning Principles:
- Develop empathy for others and the problems they face
- Learn about the Deaf community, historical inventions that have helped them, and problems they continue to face
- Gain circuitry and coding skills by building gizmo robot and using Scratch
- Learn about the invention process and how to solve a problem through brainstorming, research, and prototyping
- Learn how to storyboard using Scratch
Subject areas/Standards:
4-PS3-2, 4-PS3-4, 5-PS1-1, 3-5-ETS1-1, 3-5-ETS1-3, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.4.1/RL.5.1, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.4.1/SL.5.1, CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.9/W.5.9, CSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3/W.5.3
Breakdown of lessons:
- Class 1: Introduction to invention and warm-up activities, including building a gizmo robot (optional)
- Class 2: Building Empathy
- Class 3: Understanding Deaf Culture
- Class 4: Problem Identification and Research
- Class 5: Identify Solutions and Refine the Problem
- Class 6: Invent – Prototyping
- Class 7: Prepare Ideas for Optional Ideas4Ears Submission
- Class 8: Present prototypes
Materials:
- Recycled materials such as thin cardboard (i.e., cereal boxes), cardboard tubes, egg cartons, etc.
- 60 cups
- Rubber bands
- Scissors
- Masking and duct tape
- Copper tape
- LEDs
- Coin cell batteries
- Hummingbird
- Micro:Bit
- 2 rotation motors
- MakeCode or similar programming language
- Distance sesnsor and/or sound sensor
- Alligator clips
- Computer/projector/internet access/speaker
- String
- Earplugs
- Markers
- Large post-it poster paper
- Sticky notes
- Paper and pencils
- Timer
- Brass plated fasteners
- Popsicle sticks
- Pipe cleaners
- Google eyes
- Pom poms
- Air-dry clay
- Clay tools
- Plastic wrap
- Trifold posterboards (optional)
